Senate Commerce Committee to hold hearing on Climate Change Research and Scientific Integrity

This full committee hearing will be held at 10:00 AM in the Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253. No witness list has been announced at the time of this posting.

The Committee’s jurisdiction includes oversight of NASA, NOAA, and the National Science Foundation—three agencies that account for more than 80% of the budget of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program—as well as jurisdiction over confirmation hearings for presidential appointees to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Department of Commerce.

The committee membership includes a number of Senators who have shown an active interest in climate change science and policy issues. The Democratic members include:

On January 24 the Committee announced the Chairs and Ranking Members of a new line-up of subcommittees.

Senator Kerry will chair the Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Innovation. Senator Ensign will be the Ranking Member.
Senator Nelson will chair the Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences. Senator Hutchison will be the Ranking Member.

Senator Cantwell will chair the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard (which combines the work of three Commerce subcommittees from the previous Congress). Senator Snowe will be the Ranking Member.

E&E News PM (by subscription) reported January 24 that Sen. Cantwell (D-Wash.) has said she intends to use her new Commerce subcommittee chairmanship to explore the link between climate change, pollution, and ocean health. Subcommittee Ranking Member Sen. Snowe said that global warming is one of her top legislative priorities.